Sitagliptin for Type 2 Diabetes

Sitagliptin is a medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes by increasing the levels of incretin hormones that help regulate insulin and glucose levels.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available with a prescription from pharmacies.
Applicable for
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Jane Cox

Sitagliptin FAQ

What are the side effects of sitagliptin?

Key facts Sitagliptin works by increasing the amount of insulin that your body makes. Insulin is the hormone that controls sugar levels in your blood. You take sitagliptin once a day. The most common side effect of sitagliptin is headaches. This medicine does not usually make you put on weight. Sitagliptin is also called by the brand name Januvia.

Is sitagliptin a sulfonylurea?

Sitagliptin, sold under the brand name Januvia among others, is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. In the United Kingdom it is listed as less preferred than metformin or a sulfonylurea. It is taken by mouth.

What class of drug is sitagliptin?

Sitagliptin belongs to a class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

How does sitagliptin work?

Sitagliptin is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets that you swallow. It also comes as tablets containing a mixture of sitagliptin and metformin. Metformin is another drug used to treat diabetes. 2. Key facts Sitagliptin works by increasing the amount of insulin that your body makes.

Is sitagliptin a gliptin?

Sitagliptin belongs to a group of medicines called dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) or gliptins. It's used to treat type 2 diabetes, which is caused by problems with a hormone in your body called insulin. Gliptins help your body make more insulin. They also stop your body releasing too much sugar (glucose) into your blood.

What is sitagliptin used for?

Sitagliptin belongs to a group of medicines called dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) or gliptins. It's used to treat type 2 diabetes, which is caused by problems with a hormone in your body called insulin. Gliptins help your body make more insulin. They also stop your body releasing too much sugar (glucose) into your blood.

Why is sitagliptin prescribed for type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin that it makes does not work properly. This can cause high blood sugar levels ( hyperglycaemia ). Sitagliptin is prescribed for people who still have high blood sugar, even though they have a sensible diet and exercise regularly.

Sitagliptin References

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